Born November 7, 1994, Isaac lost his 19 month battle with cancer on May 23, 2014. Many already know the story of Isaac Cook, who suffered more tragedy in his 19 years than most of us will experience in a lifetime. If Isaac were to tell you his story, it would go something like this.
"So, I wake up one morning in July of 2010, and I'm told my dad has passed away from pancreatic cancer. I knew he was sick, but still...my dad, the greatest dad in the world, my coach, mentor, my best friend, was gone. I was fifteen years old.
One spring morning, 20 months later, I discover my beautiful sister, Anna, has died. She was so sweet, so innocent, and so very fragile. We had no idea how fragile. Anna was just seventeen years old.
Five months later, I'm playing baseball on a travel team out of Texas. We are at the AABC World Series in Florida and having a pretty good tournament. I come out of the game dizzy, with a bad headache. Doctors, brain scans, a biopsy and many other tests later-they tell me I have brain cancer. Are you kidding me? I'm seventeen years old!
What do I do? The same thing my dad did. He would have said, 'You get back in the box and swing away'. So I did. I finished my senior year at Bishop Kelley, graduating with my class while on chemo and radiation. I got a job, became a Red Cross volunteer, and helped the tornado victims in Moore and Bethel Acres, all the while on chemo. I started college. I created a non-profit called Isaac's Wish Foundation to raise money and awareness for pediatric brain cancer research. Hopefully, in the future, this will allow others to overcome this illness and live full, productive lives. I assisted with World Baseball Outreach and Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities. I helped raise money for Angels Among Us, the fundraising side of Duke Brain Cancer Hospital, as well as Anna's Hope, a non-profit to raise awareness of teen suicide, founded by my buddy, Eric King.
In leaving this earth, I hope to be with my dad, my sister, and all the others who have gone before me. It's a great day for a ball game and a reunion. WOW! There really is a Field of Dreams. I imagine we arrive in time to see them warm up. POP! There's nothing like the sound of a ball hitting a glove. The field is so green and the sky so blue! 'PEANUTS! GET YOUR PEANUTS! Hey, over here! We'll take three.' "
Isaac was a remarkable son, brother, uncle and friend whose compassion for others was immeasurable. Isaac faced his illness straight on, living his life with humor, integrity, honesty, selflessness and with such a positive attitude, that he became a role model for others suffering a similar fate. Isaac will be missed by so many. He will miss the chance to root for his beloved OU Sooners and St. Louis Cardinals. The members of those teams will never know the full extent of his love for both.
The batters Isaac would have faced as a pitcher will never experience the full wrath of his elusive curve ball. Baseball was in his blood, with his father John being instrumental in developing his skills. Isaac was saddened that he would never have the opportunity to share his love in marriage, and in raising children, especially fulfilling his desire to teach a son the game of baseball.
Isaac Joseph Cook leaves behind his mother, Brenda Cook, sister Faith Cook, sister Catherine Davis and her husband Neal Davis, brother Quannah Underwood, nieces Baylee and Ashlyn Underwood, and Rivers Davis. He also leaves behind nephews Braden and Jarret Davis, as well as his godparents Sheila and Dennis Voyles. The best testimony to Isaac's influence on others is that he leaves behind friends too numerous to mention.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 pm, Thursday, May 29, 2014, at the Church of St. Mary, 1347 E. 49th Place, Tulsa.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the following:
Isaac's Wish Foundation-for pediatric brain cancer research
P.O. Box 52116
Tulsa, OK 74152
Anna's Hope Foundation- for teenage suicide awareness and prevention
P.O. Box 521166
Tulsa, OK 74152
FITZGERALD IVY CHAPEL 918-585-1151